Arts & Minds, Inc.

Arts & Minds is a wonderful program that offers compassionate and thoughtful opportunities for engagement with art for people with dementia and their caregivers. We have been supporting their work for several years now and applaud this beautiful collaboration between art, medicine, and education.

I have worked with Arts and Minds on social media content, and my grandmother has worked with them (as she has Alzheimer's). I cannot stress the importance and quality of their work enough - Arts and Minds does an AMAZING job for caretakers and dementia patients alike. Thanks to them, my grandmother has had some fun and enjoyment in this depressing episode of her life. I really appreciate all that they have done for me and for my family.

Arts and Minds is a beautiful and life changing experience. As a volunteer at this program I have the wonderful opportunity to assist the educators and coordinators of the program in bringing joy to the elderly population who are suffering Alzheimer's or Dementia through art. As someone who is passionate about the arts it brings fulfillment in my life knowing that I can share my time and passions with others in need to make their lives that much better.

Consistency excellent caring know their subjects good variety and interaction with client

Our involvement with Arts and Minds is a truly wonderful experience. It brightens our day as well as stimulating our experience with Art.
It provides social interaction as well.

I have been a supporter and partner of Arts & Minds since its founding, and am proud to be connected to this work that is making a difference in the lives of people living with memory disorders and their carepartners. The artist educator-led programs are exceptional, in which participants experience a warm, welcoming space to explore and respond to works of art together. My favorite memories from these programs include moments of sharing stories and feeling a sense of community, whether we're in the galleries or online. Arts & Minds is an experience of finding joy in the present moment through a creative engagement with visual art.

hi its me maria and eleonora gelpi theclass and the people have been just wonderfu the art beautiful this class has brought me and my mother closer together and each week we look forward to seeing the group and to hear thier stories. we dont always make each one sadly and they are greatly missed. where woiuld we be with out them i hope this class will go on. and i hope there will be more outings they were fun for the both of us. i hope what i said helps with what you want to do in the fulture. always looking forward to seeing the group thanks for all your hard work
maria and eleonora gelpi( daughter and mother,)

My spouse and I have participated both at museums and now at home for over 10 years. His art and smiles are priceless. The music and memory programs are also good for him.
Now the programs are a lifeline to the outside world., so Important with COVID still affecting our age group.

I cared for my mother who lived with memory impairment for 14 years and I know that art can help. Art can help keep people with Alzheimer’s stay in touch with themselves and the world. My mother inspired me so much, I created a movie about it. Arts & Minds is an organization that understands and puts this into practice every day. Art brings joy to people with dementia and their caregivers. It is a very important organization helping people with memory impairment. Arts & Minds enables people and their partners to enjoy art, art work, painting, museum exhibits and music at home and at museums. It is an uplifting and educational center for all. We recommend Arts & Minds with great enthusiasm.

As a patient advocate, I have referred colleagues and clients to Arts & Minds. This non-profit can be life-changing for entire families. The quality of life, support, engagment and learning that goes on for all involved is monumental. In the passing of our father, my family decided in lieu of flowers to make donations to Arts & Minds as a testament to our dear father and the great work that Arts & Minds does for so many.

When I began teaching with Arts & Minds (now ten years ago), I had no idea how much I would love being part of our amazing community. From working closely with the other Arts & Minds staff members, to leading my own programs, to joining in community events, I have loved every minute with Arts & Minds; so much so, that when the pandemic hit, I jumped at the opportunity to join the team in a new role as an Associate Educator/Public Programs. As we look at and discuss artworks, make meaning, and create artworks - together we are stronger. Thank you Arts & Minds.

Arts & Minds is a program that exhibits deep care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, their family, caregivers, and friends. Their instructors are genuine, patient, and thoughtful with each decision they make in the curation of a single program. Down to the art supplies they choose, Arts & Minds creates a space where people feel valued as artists and as members of a bigger community. The founder, Carolyn Halpin-Healy, has spent extensive time researching and participating in dialogue within the Alzheimer’s community. This dedication has allowed the program to be built on a solid foundation that truly understands the needs and gaps within the Alzheimer’s community. By holding programs in both English and Spanish, carrying out programs in museums across different burrows of the city, and participating in community outreach events, Arts & Minds has revealed to me the ways that inequalities within Alzheimer’s treatment can be deconstructed. This commitment to access for all members of the community rejects preexisting inequalities, something that is truly inspiring to all of us. This community-oriented program has offered me an optimistic glance into the future of Alzheimer’s care. It is a challenging position to be in when you are dealing with Alzheimer’s personally or when it is impacting a loved one, a position which is improved so much more when you can be embraced by a group of people who understand what it is like. They are able to challenge the cultural understandings we have been conditioned to have when looking at Alzheimer’s by offering up a voice to people. I hold this nonprofit very close to my heart.

Arts and Minds is an extraordinary nonprofit that seems to bring magic to everyone it touches - from participants to facilitators and even to visiting Medical Humanities students.

In 2021, Arts and Minds participants (both individuals with dementia and their caregivers) showed exceptional generosity in allowing my Columbia University students to attend and participate in their daily arts education programs (held virtually during the pandemic). Thanks to the enthusiasm of Executive Director Carolyn Halpin-Healy, Arts and Minds partnered with our Medical Humanities course, "Contradictions of Care," to afford students a community placement where they could observe a warm and dynamic caregiving relationship. Over six weeks, the arts instructors/facilitators warmly welcomed our students to their arts-based virtual discussions, and the program participants generously allowed them to observe their caregiving dynamics while doing the enjoyable work of creative interpretation.

These placements were without question the highlight of the course. The students were hugely grateful not just to observe the inspirational activities of the caregiving pairs, but also to participate themselves in arts education in a therapeutic context. Many of them will go on to medical careers, and this was a formative experience for them in witnessing the lifelong benefit of arts education as well as the realities of life for caregivers living with someone with a neurological condition. Their brilliant essays that reflected on the placement were a joy to read, putting their 'witnessing' in conversation with the bioethics works we had read in the course.

Working with Arts and Minds was an unsurpassed academic and social experience that will stay with them in the future: my hope is that the Columbia students who participated will be motivated in the future to explore related medical fields like neurology and palliative care, and humanities areas such as aging studies. Beyond the incredible work that Arts and Minds does for the participants -- both those who are cared for as well as the caregivers -- the organization has also had a substantial impact on the wider community, and, we hope, on the careers of future health providers.

Arts and Mind Inc, is a great nonprofit which provides really inspiring and educational art programs. My Aunt who has early stage dementia is able to reconnect with others and do her favorite hobby,art.I get to enjoy seeing her smile which is priceless.

Arts & Minds is more than an organization— it's a community

As my husband descends into dementia he has lost the ability to structure his days and find meaningful activity. It is incredibly helpful to have a scheduled event in the day that is gentle yet stimulating, and involves creative thought as well as active artistic effort. We have enjoyed the sessions very much, and they give us something to look forward to doing together. Can't say enough about the patience, humor and insight of all the people involved. Thank you!

As a creative companion for people with dementia, I would like to add another word to Arts & Minds. Hearts. For what stands out about this incredible organization are the hearts of the leaders.
For the past 3 years, I have been attending Arts & Minds with a wonderful man in his 80's who has dementia. Discussions amongst the group are lively and conversations are robust.
The art leaders are extremely knowledgeable, warm, engaging, funny, supportive, and incisive.
They are a rare group of talented individuals who dedicate their time to enriching the lives of women and men who have been diagnosed with dementia but they also enriched my life. For here we are all equal. To engage with this organization, ya gotta have heart.

Arts and Minds is a very stimulating experience. It promotes thinking and gets all its participants involved in both the discussion of the art work and encourages personal art making. As a participant I find it to be a positive interactive time spent.

We feel so lucky to have Arts and Mind in our lives . My mum who suffers from dementia, really enjoys the activities. She proudly keeps and shows off an impressive art portafolio put together over the last 2.5 years she has been participating in the program. The fact that she can also do it in her native language (Spanish) is even better. During the pandemic, the remote art activities and virtual museum visits were amazing resources, not just for my mum but for the whole family. Even my sister who lives in Venezuela, is able to join and participate in the high quality activities planned by this initiative. We look forward to the return of in person activites soon. Thanks again Arts and Mind! With love and appreciation. Carmen Melendez-Vasquez

Arte y mente es un excelente programa, no solo para las personas con trastornos de memoria sino también para sus cuidadores y familiares. En el 2019 tuve la oportunidad de asistir y acompañar a mi madre que sufre de Alzheimer a las actividades presenciales en los Museos y desde el primer día me encanto, el tipo de interacción entre los educadores y los asistentes; pero lo más impresionante es verlos expresar sus emociones en las líneas de sus dibujos o manualidades o cuando explican sus obras... por motivo pandemia ésta actividad se hace en línea y no pierde su esencia! lo mejor es que me ha permitido seguir acompañandolos desde mi país (Venezuela)y compartir 1 hora entre amigos y familia... es realmente satisfactorio ver como mi madre cada vez hace mejor sus obras y cómo interpreta las obras de otro... todo un aprendizaje para ella y para mí también; he aprendido a ver el arte desde otro punto de vista y desde el alma. Gracias a todos los que conforman tan hermoso programa... Dios los bendiga, gracias por brindarnos su tiempo, conocimientos, alegría y paciencia a todos. Saludos muy especiales para Nellie, Manuela, Laura, Angela y todos los que conforman el maravilloso equipo de arte y mente en español! Agradecida por permitirme seguir creciendo y compartiendo lindos momentos con mi madre, familia y todos mis amigos en línea!! Abrazos y sigan apoyando tan buenas obras llenas de amor y dedicación!! Katiuska Meléndez Vásquez.

My husband has dementia so this program has been essential in building his self esteem. He enjoys being creative and Arts and Minds offers a space where he can be just a creative with his thoughts as the art work that he is viewing. The Arts and Minds facilitators are phenomenal; They are very understanding of the client limitations and are very encouraging.

El trabajo de Arte y Mentes tiene un impacto de sanación física, mental, y espiritual, a la vez que cumple propósitos educativos de desarrollo de lenguaje tanto para personas con demencia, alzhéimer, concusión (trauma cerebral cognitivo), y otros traumas emocionales (como la ansiedad, sobretodo en vista de la pandemia).
En 4 semanas aprendí que a través del arte de collage, pintura, multimedia, y hasta musical se logran varios objetivos. Físicamente, el paciente hace arte y se expresa a su nivel de capacidad inspirado en artistas profesionales, que queda como síntesis de lo aprendido.
Mental y espiritualmente se recrea de manera terapéutica mientras " juega" con colores, ideas, símbolos, materiales que expresan emociones y sentimientos, a veces dolorosas, que las palabras no pueden expresar.
Espiritualmente, se llega a una catarsis que ayuda a canalizar traumas. Educativamente, se desarrolla lenguaje y se enriquece el vocabulario a través de la descripción colectiva de las obras de arte. También se amplifican perspectivas porque en el pensamiento colectivo se observan distintos puntos de vista y perspectiva.

Arts and Minds vale la pena. Es un esfuerzo loable del Consejo de Artes. Donadores conscientes deben financiar y apoyar este programa.

Olga Mejía Glenn, Ph. D.
(Tengo una concusion y un pariente con demencia)

Designed, managed and operated by a wonderful team of highly-skilled professionals, Arts & Minds serves as an island for us in a stormy sea. We totally appreciate the program and everyone in it.

Several years, during one of those endless beauty salon sessions, it occurred to me: I was spending more on my hair each year than I was donating to charity. It was an appalling thought and a wake-up call. That year, I made sure to send at least what I spent in that salon over the year to several of my favorite charities.

Now I've let my hair go gray--which I should have done a long time ago--but I continue to give at least at the 'annual high-maintenance hair-care level' to the non-profits I love. One of the closest to my heart is Arts & Minds, http://www.artsandminds.org/, run on a shoestring by art historian and educator, Carolyn Halpin-Healy. It's a great cause, and it addresses a pressing need.

Carolyn's organization partners with museums to provide meaningful art-centered activities that create positive cognitive experiences, enhance communication, and reduce isolation for those with dementia and their caregivers.

The programs run by Arts & Minds are powerful experiences for the cognitively impaired, their family members, and their professional caregivers. Participants testify that these programs strengthen social, emotional, and spiritual bonds by engaging with art. The outcomes of this program are so inspiring!

So try it: what do you spend each year on your hair?

Surely you can match that this year in your giving also.